ang best of me

I made it :KOTR 10k

2008-10-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a runner as the treadmill does not excite me at all .I hate following the motion of a machine with a pace depending on your strength (or weakness). Running outdoor is neither stimulating as pollution irritates me. Since I have transferred from one club (gym) to another several years back, what I truly enjoyed most was the group exercise where I get the chance to share my exhaustion and relief with my gym buddies at the end of each workout I may be a solitary person, but when it comes to working out, I prefer to sweat out with friends which I always look forward to everyday.

Out of nowhere, Jonas convinced me to join the Adidas King of the Road (KOTR) which I nonchalantly agreed. Initially, I registered for 5k while 21k for Jonas. We later decided to both join 10k instead. Reason being, I pestered Jonas on the effect of abrupt increase to 21k as this is just his second time to join a marathon. He on the other hand convinced me to run 10k as I have already tried 7.5k last year. Meaning, we have 4 singlets (ahihihihi).

Come October 11, 2008, Jonas and I were physically and emotional ready to hit the road together with thousands of eager runners. Different personalities were present, known and unknown, but with one common goal : to run. When the gun was fired for the 10k race, everyone started running. I couldn’t trace my pace, despite the polar watch RS200 SD that I bought a day before just for this event, as my eyes was preoccupied with those in front of me who were running so fast and those behind me who were zooming past me. I wanted to follow the pace of my fellow runners but I just couldn’t do such. Instead, I opted to walk, sometimes slow and fast in between jog and run. Buendia flyover, which is a familiar lane for all people who travel to and from the south area, was the most challenging road I’ve ever passed. Heading towards half the 10k, saw Jonas already wearing the blue straw in his neck ( proof that he has reached half of the race)going back to Buendia flyover. Seeing the exhaustion in my face, my husband lovingly motioned that I skip on the fence and just go back with him. My body wanted so much to stop, but my heart turned out to be stronger than my body at that point in time. Geeh, got slight relief when the marshall handed to me the blue straw which I proudly put into my neck. 5k more and I will reach the finish line. Going back to Buendia flyover, I bumped into a gym buddy, Rhoze Lim who was with a pro runner. We were given a tip that going up a hill is easier and less tiring if you jog at a very slow pace, and so I did. The mere sight of Jollibee from Buendia flyover somehow gave me a sheer anticipation that I was nearing the finish line. Few minutes more, saw the flow of sweating runners being cheered by quite a few onlookers. And there I was, heart pounding, eagerly running towards the lane for Female participants. I made the 10k for 1 hour and 18 minutes.

With this milestone, I am now determined to run (indoor and outdoor) and hit the gym. Don’t you want this too?

About Me

2008-09-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

I follow the golden rule, quote unquote "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you", and its reverse. Needless to say, this rule says exactly who I am when I talk to people, when I talk of people and when I am with people. When you adhere to this rule, you sure will reap what you sow.

Alone, which is most of the time, I am a worrier. I worry about myself, my family, my country, the world we live in, and life in general. To counterbalance pessimism, (I know it’s a cliché) I always thank God for who I am and what I am. For amidst the success and failure, there is God who takes charge of everything.

One Sunday

2008-09-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Going back to your roots once in a while is relieving. Its been 3 months since we last visited Liliw Laguna, me and my husbands’ hometown. Since it’s a Sunday, Manila to Liliw was only a 2-hour drive, a far-cry from the traffic-irritating 3 to 4 hours drive on weekdays.

This short trip was unplanned. As our usual schedule on a Sunday, we attended the 9am mass at Sanctuario de San Antonio. Was supposed to visit my friend Chinky’s bazaar in Quezon City but she told me not to anymore as the venue was not worth the time and effort. For lunch we wanted to try new environment, and so my husband said Alabang. We live in Pasig and tired of the usual Tiendesitas, Rockwell, Eastwood city ambiance. When I texted my food buff friend Trina, she suggested Hula Hula, a Hawaian resto near Fitness First Alabang. For whatever reason after a sumptuous lunch at Hula Hula around 11:30 am, my husband blurted: lets go to Liliw.

On our way to Liliw, I couldn’t help but truly enjoy the very essence of Sunday with the family. My husband’s repeatedly amusing joke while driving coupled by our two girls’, Joshielle and Sheena, giggling, was a moment every mother would always want to witness. Not to forget the green panorama along South Superhighway that provides a soothing relief for any person exposed to the influx of tall buildings in Metro Manila.

Our hometown. Since this was an unplanned trip, my father was taken aback upon opening the gate and seeing his only child, 2 lovely granddaughters and of course his favorite son-in-law in front of him, while he was on in the middle of weight lifting (very light, just for his age- 74) My mother was equally surprised when the girls woke her up in the middle of her usual afternoon nap. Joshielle and Sheena's fave cousins, Jade, Lara and Toby also excitedly dropped by the house to catch few things up even for an hour or two as they had to rush to their Ballet class. We all talked about shallow issues just to savor the few hours of bonding. I knew from the look of my parents eyes how much they miss us, followed by their constant hugs and kisses to my kids ,touching their hairs and pulling them to sit in their lap. It was such a lovely moment to treasure. Liliw trip is not complete if we do not buy the very affordable slippers and uraro from Jonas’ auntie. To top it all, we visited the image of San Buenaventura inside the Saint John The Baptist Church. Every time I visit Liliw, I see to it that I visit the church too. The image of San Buenaventura, according to my mother, is even older than she is. It is known to be very miraculous proven by lots of prayers granted. I am a living example of such. In January 2007 I prayed for an unbelievable blessing which I am presently relishing. For about a year now, I have been extremely thankful for allowing me to shout to the world that despite challenges and imperfections Life is indeed beautiful, and so are WE.

Golden Rule and Gods Rule

2008-09-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up in the wrong side of the bed. Or shall I say, today is the sequel of the pain I experienced yesterday in the hand of an associate. Unfortunately, that person does not follow the golden rule of do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you. Proof of which, he hurt me. I tried to convey my side, but he never listened . As a believer of tolerance, I am still giving him a chance to somehow admit his mistake, otherwise, I am ready to make a drastic decision.

As I am continuously saddened, I opted to spend the day as my "quiet time". I shut myself from my family, from the world. Inside my room,I cried and conveyed my rage to an imaginary person. I thought it would help alleviate the pain, but it did not. I was still hurting. Then for whatever reason, I glimpsed at our bed where my husband was calmly laying and noticed a pink book beside him entitled What Matters Most (for women). It was a birthday present from two of my new gym buddies which was handed to me just this morning by my husband. I remembered opening the gift earlier, but didn't pay much attention to it and carelessly placed the book somewhere. What attracted me was the pink cover, but what's inside is even more interesting.

As I scan the book, I was struck by one line which I always hear and read but the situation now dictates that I savor its meaning.

here it goes : If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. So what else can I say?

My haven

2008-09-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

It took me 129 years, 128 breath, so to speak, and convincing words from my cousin Ruth before I finally got the courage to write again. For about sometime, I was forced to deviate my attention on things that did not require introspection, more so, from intense writing. I knew from my heart how much I longed to revert from what I've loved to do for quite sometime. It might require pencil pushing on the onset but now that my brain has synchronized with my heart, I am ready to pour my self out.

My blog “angbestofme” shall be my starting point in rekindling the fire within me. The fire that will pave the way to unleash the chain in my life. This will be my haven on earth.